Boron and zinc deficiencies and toxicities and their interactions with other nutrients in soybean roots, leaves, and seeds

Authors: PAWLOWSKI, MICHELLE - University Of Illinois; HELFENSTEIN, JULIAN - Swiss Federal Institute Of Technology Zurich; FROSSARD, EMMANUEL - Swiss Federal Institute Of Technology Zurich; Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2018
Publication Date: 2/10/2019
Citation: Pawlowski, M., Helfenstein, J., Frossard, E., Hartman, G.L. 2019. Boron and zinc deficiencies and toxicities and their interactions with other nutrients in soybean roots, leaves, and seeds. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 41(6):634-649. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2019.1567782.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2019.1567782

Interpretive Summary: In many parts of the world, soils deficient or toxic in micronutrients reduce potential soybean yields. The objectives of our study were to grow plants in low to high concentrations of boron and zinc to determine how these nutrients influence soybean growth, and to determine how these nutrients interact with other essential nutrients in roots, leaves, and seeds. Our study provides a broad overview of how boron and zinc deficiencies and toxicities affect physiological responses and nutrient interactions throughout the soybean plant using two different soybean cultivars. We confirmed interactions reported by others in plants other than soybean. We also reported on less studied interactions, while showing a more comprehensive understanding by having three major plant parts analyzed within the same experiment. There were fewer nutrient interactions in response to boron deficiency or toxicity, but boron showed a strong relationship with both nitrogen and calcium. On the other hand, zinc interacted with the majority of nutrients. This information may aid in further studies to understand the mechanisms behind these nutrient interactions. This information is useful to growers, extension personnel and scientists interested in plant nutrition and the inteaction of nutrients with boron and zinc.

Technical Abstract: Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is widely grown throughout the world. In many parts of the world, soils deficient or toxic in micronutrients reduce potential soybean yields. The objectives of our study were to grow plants in low to high concentrations of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) to determine how those treatments effect soybean growth, and their interaction of essential nutrients in roots, leaves, and seeds. Plants treated with 0.1x B or 0.1x Zn had lower (P < 0.05) levels of B or Zn and plants treated with 10x B or 100x Zn had higher (P < 0.05) levels of B or Zn in roots, leaves, and seeds compared to the control plants grown with optimal levels of B and Zn. Compared to the control plants, plants treated with 0.1x B were shorter and had increased root and stem masses; plants treated with 10x B were taller and had reduced root, stem and seed masses. Compared to the control plants, plants treated with 0.1x Zn were shorter; plants treated with 100x Zn had reduced seed mass. There were many interactions based on our treatments with other nutrients causing them to either increase or decrease. For example, plants treated with 0.1x B had increased Mg in roots, and decreased levels of N and Ca in leaves and K in seeds. Plants treated with 0.1x Zn had decreased Fe and Mn in roots, increased N and K in roots, decreased N and K in seeds and leaves, and increased P, Fe, Mn, and B in seeds and leaves. There were additional nutrient interactions with higher concentrations of B and Zn treatments. The complexity of nutrient interactions with B and Zn were further complicated by some being dependent on the soybean genotypes. Additional research is needed to further understand nutrient interactions and their specific relationship to soybean genotypes responses.